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Cosart happy to have brothers close this spring

9/9/13: Jarred Cosart scatters just two hits and surrenders no earned runs while striking out three in a solid start vs. the Mariners

By Brian McTaggart
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MLB.com |

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Astros pitcher Jarred Cosart got a little help from teammate Brett Oberholtzer to send both of his younger brothers to college in Florida.

At the suggestion of Oberholtzer, Jake and Jansen Cosart are both enrolled and playing this spring at Seminole State College in Sanford, which is about 50 miles north of Kissimmee. Oberholtzer pitched at Seminole State before getting drafted by the Braves in 2008.

Last year, Cosart and his father went with Oberholtzer to eat, and Oberholtzer asked about Cosart's brothers. Jake was a freshman pitcher at Duke who was looking to transfer, and Jansen was an infielder and senior at Clear Creek High School in League City, Texas.

"They went through a staff change at Duke and I said, 'Well, the junior college I went to is always looking for guys like this to transfer,'" Oberholtzer said. "The weather and facilities are amazing, and it's 40 miles down the road. I basically told his dad, 'Hey, if they're serious about looking into a junior college, there really is no better place than Florida.'"

Both of Cosart's brothers flew to Florida to work out at the college, and they eventually enrolled.

"They flew out there for a visit the next week and loved it," Cosart said. "It's pretty cool how it worked out. My family and I were really thankful, especially that they're enjoying it so much and, obviously, the opportunity for them was huge."

Now his brothers are so close, the Cosart boys hope to spend some time together this spring.

"It will be easier when we get the game schedule going and I know when I'm going to be throwing," Cosart said. "It's great they're at this school. They can always call me and they talk to Obie and [pitcher Josh] Zeid and some of the other guys I'm close with. It's great for them. They'll be out here at some point this spring, because that's their ultimate goal -- to play in the big leagues."